Wagon-box attachment.



No. 802,525. PATENTED OCT. 24, 1905.

- R. L. RHEA.

WAGON BOX ATTACHMENT.

APPLIUATION FILED DEU.31,1903. RENEWED MAR, 28. 1905 2 SIIBETFi-SHBET 1.

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PATENTED OCT. 24, 1905.

R. L. RHEA.

WAGON BOX ATTACHMENT.

APPLIUATION TILED DEG.31,1903 RENEWED MAE.28,1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

TIWTTEU STATES PATENT OF@F. ROBERT L. RFIEIFOFF 1551A, ILLINOIS.

WAGON-BOX ATTACHMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24., 1905.

Application filed December 31, 1903. Renewed March 28,1905. Serial No. 252,529.

To aZZ Lilli/07771 it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROBERT L. RHEA, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in VVagon-Box Attachments; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention has reference to improvements in shoveling board attachments for wagon'boxes, and has for its object to facilitate the convenient attaching and detaching of a shoveling-board to any of the well-known forms of wagon-boxes.

It has for its further object to provide a bracket or crab, as it is known, formed of a single piece of sheet metal, having a longitudinally-disposed channel whose walls extend outwardly and with a series of holes, the op-' posite side of the bracket formed with depending portions designed to engage the inner faces of the sides of a box and to bear against the cleats of the box.

It has for its further object to provide for detachably and adjustably connecting a board with the bracket or crab on the box, whereby the board may be released from its fastenings with the crab without the necessity of having to remove any bolts or other fixtures which may be fixed to the box.

It has for its further object suitable adjustable members, one of which has connection with the lower rear cleat of a wagon-box, the other adjustably connected to the member of the cleat and provided with means c06perating with the members of the. wings of the board to lock the end of the board adjacent to the box thereto.

Further objects and aims of the invention will appear from the following description, and drawings forming a part thereof, in Which Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the rear portion of a wagon-box, showing a shovelingboard in connection therewith. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the bracket or crab. Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the bracket attached to a box and with certain parts connected with the bracket. Fig. 4 is a view in front elevation of the adjustably-connected members adapted to be attached to the lower rear cleat of the box. Fig. 5 is a cross-section through the parts shown in Fig. 4. Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate in plan the adaptability of the bracket to two forms of wagon-box cleats. Fig. 8 is a View in elevation of the rear end of a wagon-box, showing a connection be tween the bracket and lower rear end of the board, by its use enabling a board to be ad- 'justed to any bed and detachable therefrom.

Fig. 9 is a view of parts similar to those in Fig. 8, but showing the board raised into a position just before detaching it from the box. Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the parts as shown in Fig. 8.

In the drawings for convenience a wagonbox is shown havinga bottom and side-boards A in the usual manner. At the rear ends of the side-boards I arrange cleats a ct, between which an end-gate may be inserted when it is desired to use such piece. To the bottom and at the rear end thereof is shown a transverse cleat 7).

The shoveling-board is indicated as B, having the side pieces or wings 0, preferably of metal.

The attachment, to which reference has been made, comprises a bracket or crab 1, made substantially of a single piece of sheet metal bent into the form herein shown, having the horizontal portions 2, extending over the side-boards of the wagon-box, and with the depending front face-plate 3, which is bent outwardly and inwardly at 4 to provide the longitudinal channel or U portion 5 for a purpose to be described. The vertical portion of the wall 4 is provided with a series of openings 6, arranged in a longitudinal line and at intervals the length of the face-plate 3, as shown. The horizontal portion 2 of the bracket is cut away at 7, which leaves two clips 8 at opposite ends extending inwardly and downwardly, having the lower narrowed portion 9. The construction is such as to provide a light and inexpensive bracket and yet of such form as to give sufficient strength where it is needed.

10 indicates aloop, link, or equivalent memher having its upper portion designed for pivotal connection with the face-plate 3 of the bracket by passing a bolt or short stud 11 through any one of the openings 6 from the rear, so that the head of the bolt will be seated in the channel 5, (see Fig. 3,) and thus be held from interfering with the side-boards of the box, and then through the loop in the manner shown and securing a nut 12 on the end of the bolt.

13 indicates a bar of suitable length and at its outer end provided with a series of perforations 14:, by means of which an adjustable pivotal connection may be had at 15 With the wings a of the board. The opposite or inner end of the bar 13 is designed to be passed through the loop or link 10 and retained in adjusted positions relative thereto by a pin or clasp 16, designed for connection with one of a series of holes 17 in the bar. (See Figs. 1, 8, and 9.) Thus it will be seen byslipping the bar 13 in the loop 10 and adjusting the pin 16 in the holes 17 I can adjust the outer end of the board at desired angles. The usefulness of the bracket 1, with its series of holes or openings 6 in alongitudinal line, is also readily apparent when considered with Figs. 6 and 7. In Fig. 6 the ordinary arrangement of side-board cleats is shown, which enables the carrying of the bracket 1 with one of the portions extending down between the cleats (6 and the other bearing adjacent to the inner cleat. If in this form of cleat (see Fig. 6) they should vary in width, the openings 6 in the bracket 1 and the openings 1. in the bar 13 will permit of proper adjustment for connecting the board with such wagon-box. In Fig. 7 is shown what is called a rabbeted cleat. This cleat by reason of its extra thickness requires, when it is designed to attach a bracket to the side-boards supporting such cleats, a special bracket. I overcome this inconvenience and disadvantage by providing a long bracket having a longitudinal series of holes, so that the bracket may be attached to the side-boards with one end bearing against the inner edge of the cleat, the extra length, number, and arrangement of the holes 6 permitting me to connect thebar 13 therewith, whether used with a box having ordinary cleats or what is known as the rabbeted cleat, an advantage not heretofore attainable with a single bracket.

In addition to the provision of devices for adjusting the boards to different heights of box and being able to regulate the angle at which the board extends from the box I have also provided a connection with the bracket 1 of the lower rear end of the board, whereby the position of the lower rear end of the board may be adjusted to the floor of the box, and provide also for the easy detachment of the board and its reattachment to the box without having to remove any bolts or move any parts from the box, producing-a practical detachable board, reference being had to Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, in which 35 indicates a bracket or hanger supported by the bracket 1 by means of the pivot-bolt 11 and provided with lugs 36, adapted to be inserted into the openings 6 of the bracket 1. (See Fig. 10.) The hanger 35 has aslot 37 extending in its body, by means of which a plate 38 is supported, lying adjacent to its outer face and adjustably held by means of a bolt or pin 39, passing through the slot 3'7 and a tubular stem 40 of the plate 38, the plate 38 having a shed or overhanging portion 11 for a purpose to be described. It will thus be seen the hanger 35 may be adjusted and securely fastened to the bracket 1, and the plate 38, which has a slidable connection with the hanger, may be adjusted in different positions. 4.2 denotes a bar having a pivotal connection at 33 with the board, its upper free end provided with the loops or hooked end 13, partially encircling the stud or tubular stem 10, so that when in the position shown in Fig. 8 or any other position below a horizontal line extending through the pivot 39 it is impossible to release the bar 42 or for it to become detached. However, when it is desired to detach the board for any reason, the board may be raised into a position similar to that seen in Fig. 9 and the clasp 16 removed from the end of the bar 13, the board shoved toward the wagon-box, when the loop or hook 13 will detach itself from the stud 10, when the board may be removed, the bar 13 slipping through the loop 10, as will be apparent. Thus through the medium of a bracket such as 1, the hanger 35, loop 10, and rods or bars 13 and 42 a very practical and simple detachable shoveling-board is provided.

As a substitute for the hanger 35 the following devices may be employed for connecting and supporting the inner end of the board to the bed:

18 indicates a suitable casting or member having a tail portion 19, provided with a slot 20, through which is carried a bolt for securing the said casting to the lower face of the wagon-box cleat Z), and the said casting is further provided with the vertical extension 21, having a slot 22 and a serrated or notched outer face 23.

21 indicates a casting or member having a serrated 0r notched face 25 cooperating with the face 23 of casting 18, and by a bolt 26 passing through the slot 22 of member 18 and a slot 27 of member 2 1 the two parts are secured together. The slot 20 provides for adjustment to suit varying-width cleats b, and the slots 22 and 27 of the members provide for adjustment to suit varying depths as well of the cleats Z). The casting 2 1 is further provided with an extended upper portion 28, having the semicircular concave face 29, in which rests and has movement the lower inner end of the board, (see Fig. 1,) and extending outwardly from one side of the casting 24 is seen a hook 30. Having connection with this hook is a hooked end 31 of a lever or bar 32, which is pivoted to the wing of the board at 33, and 34 indicates a hook from the opposite end of lever 32. The hook 30 and hooked end 31 of the lever form a pivot on which the board swings when the same is raised into the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, when the board is used to take the place of an ordinary end-gate that is, the board is held to its working position by the ceases connection of the hooks, as described. To raise the board above the sides of the wagonboX, the lever 32 is swung to release the hook 31 from the hook 32, when the board may be raised in a vertical position substantially parallel with the rear end of the wagon-box, accom plished through the loop 10, which swings on its pivot and permits the bar 13 to be raised in a vertical line. This is a decided advantage when the rear end of the wagon-box is backed close to a bin or other object. To look the board in the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, the lower end of the bar 13 is caused to engage the loop 34: of the lever 32 in the manner shown. To raise the board or lower it, it is understood the bar 13 must first be released from the loop 34. For the effectual support of the board there should be two sets of all the parts enumerated above, all of which it is believed is understood.

As already intimated, the shoveling-board when used takes the place of an ordinary endgate. It is intended to be attached to and detachable from ordinary wagon-boxes. To attach it to a wagon-box, all that is necessary is to remove the end-gate and place the brackets 1 over the sides of a wagon-box and connection made therewith in manner described and the lever 82 coupled with the parts of the cleat b. To remove it in either case, as above described, all that is necessary is to reverse the operation of attaching. The board may be employed as an end-gate, as already explained, and turned down to permit a man to stand in it and readily and easily shovel out the contents of the wagon-box.

Modifications in details may be resorted to in the general construction and application, and I do not wish to be confined to the details of arrangement as set forth.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. An attachment for a wagon-box, comprising a bracket having portions overlying the edge of the side-boards thereof, and having a depending outside portion provided with a longitudinal channel and in the wall of said channel a series of holes.

2. An attachment for a wagon-box, comprising a bracket of considerable length longitudinally, having portions overlying the edge of the side-boards thereof and depending inner portions adapted to bear against the sideboards and their cleats, and a depending outside portion of said bracket provided with a longitudinal channel and in the wall of said channel a series of holes.

3. An attachment for a wagon-box, comprising a bracket bent into form from a single piece of sheet metal, having portions adapted to the upper edge of its side-boards, and a depending outside portion having a longitudinal channel, the wall of said channel provided with a series of perforations.

4. The combination with a wagon-box, of a shovelingboard, brackets detachably supported by portions overlying the upper edge of its side-boards, a depending outside portion of said brackets having a longitudinal series of holes, loops adjustabl y attached to the brackets through their series of holes, rods adjustabl y attached at one end to the wings of the board and their opposite ends passing through the loop, and connections between the lower end of the board and wagon-box.

5. In combination with a wagon-box, brackets detachably attached to its side-boards pro vided with a longitudinal series of holes, loops having adjustable connection with the brackets through the holes thereof, a shovelingboard, connections between the board and brackets comprising bars having their forward ends adjustably attached to the shoveling-board wings, their inner ends passing through the aforesaid loops and provided with a series of holes engaged by a pin for adjusting: the angle of the board, and locking connections between the lower end of the board and boX.

6. In combination, a wagon-box and a shoveling-board therefor, an adjustable and detachable bracket for the wagon-box sidehoards, adjustable connections between the bracket and board-wings, for attaching the board and bracket to different forms of sideboard cleats and for regulating the angle of the board, and connections between the lower end of the board and wagon-box.

7. In combination with a wagon-box, a shoveling-board, a member adjustable on the lower cleat of said box, a member adjustably secured to the first-mentioned member, and means for locking the board to the last-mentioned member.

8. In combination with a wagon-box, a shoveling-board, a member having a serrated face and adjustably secured to the lower rear cleat of said box, a second member having a serrated face adjustable on the serrated face of the aforesaid member, means for supporting the lower end of the board on the last-mentioned member and locking connections between the board and members.

9. In combination with a wagon-box, a bracket having inner depending portions to bear against side-board cleats, and an outside portion provided with a longitudinal series of holes at suitable intervals, a loop having a pivotal and adjustable connection with said bracket through its series of holes, and a bar having an adjustable connection with said loop, its opposite end adapted to be attached to a shoveling-board.

10. An attachment for a wagonbox, comprising a bracket adapted for detachable connection with said boX, a hanger supported by said bracket, a loop also supported by said bracket, a shoveling-board, a

bar between the board and loop, and a bar connected at one end to the board, its opposite end having a detachable connection with the hanger, substantially as specified.

11. In combination, a wagon-box and a shoveling-board therefor, an adjustable and detachable bracket for the wagon-box, a detachable support for the wings of the board with the bracket, a hanger supported by the bracket, an adjustable member carried by said hanger and a rod having a pivotal connection with the board and detachably connected with the member on the hanger, substantially as specified.

12. In combination a wagon-box, and a shoveling-board therefor, a bracket for the wagon-box, the hanger adjustably supported by said bracket having a longitudinal slot, the plate slidable on the hanger by a bolt passing through the slot of the hanger and plate, a rod attached to the board having a looped end partially encircling a stud of the plate, a loop pivotally attached to the bracket, and a bar attached to the forward portion of the board and passing through said loop, as described.

13. An attachment for a wagon-box, comprising a bracket having a series of erforations, a hanger supported by the brac 6t and having studs adapted to engage the perforations in the bracket, a plate slidably supported on the hanger and provided with a projection for the purpose described and a loop pivotally attached to the bracket, substantially for the purposes set forth.

lat. In combination, a wagon-box, and a shoveling-board therefor, a bracket detachably attached to the boX sides provided with a longitudinal series of perforations, a hanger supported by the bracket and adjustable thereon having lugs adapted to fit coinciding perforations in the bracket, a loop having a pivotal connection with the bracket, connections between the board and loop, a plate having a stud and an offset and slidably supported by the hanger, and a bar having a pivotal connection at one end with the board, its opposite end provided with a loop partially encircling the stud of the plate and held in engagement with said stud by the offset of the plate, all substantially as described and shown.

In testimony whereof I affm my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT L. RHEA. Witnesses CHAS. W. LA PoRrE, A. B. LA Posrn. 

